Pet Shop Of Horrors Fan Fiction / Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ ~*~A Dragon's Love~*~ ❯ Chapter 3 (I want to go... With Seto...) ( Chapter 3 )

D led Seto through a maze of corridors for what seemed like an eternity before finally reaching a large set of double doors.

Although Seto had seen the shop on multiple occasions, he still couldn't understand how the shop could seem so small from the outside, yet seem practically endless on the inside.

"Here we are. If you would wait just a moment, I will announce to him your arrival…" stated D, before turning his back to Seto and disappearing past the set of doors.

"Hmm… So it's a male… Well, at least it will be easier, not having to deal with a member of the opposite sex." thought Seto.

Not long after, D reappeared before Seto.

"He's ready to introduce himself; I'm sure that you two will hit it off easily." Announced D quite confidently.

"I hope so…" replied Seto, as D led him into the large room behind the set of double-doors.

Seto entered the dimly lit room, a hazy feeling sweeping over him as the sweet aroma of the burning incense made him drowsy. Seto fought to keep his eyes open, although his eyelids felt heavy.

"Jounouchi… I would like to introduce you… to your new owner…" whispered D, just barely audible.

Seto couldn't understand how anything would have heard D's voice; he had just barely heard it, and his hearing was excellent.

But sure enough, Seto heard the carpet-muffled steps coming towards him. He could barely make out the figure's profile in the dark, but could see that it stood quite a few inches below his own height.

"I wonder if it's standing… or maybe crouched?" thought Seto.

"I know this is quite awkward for you Seto, but I'm sure that you will be delighted once you get to finally meet face to face." Said D, fully aware of Seto's combination of anxiety and curiosity.

D turned to the figure, whom had stopped while still hidden in the shadows. "Jounochi, please step into the candlelight, that way Seto may have a look at you."

"Must I?" questioned Jounouchi, an unsure tone to his sweet alto voice.

Seto was taken aback a bit by hearing a human response.

"D, is this some sort of joke? That's a human, not a pet!" yelled Seto, a mixture of uncertainty and upset in his voice.

"Jounouchi, it's rude not to introduce yourself to guests; now, be polite!" chastised D.

"Fine." Sighed Jou. Before Seto could say anything more, Jou stepped out into the dim light.

Seto took a step back, shock causing his jaw to drop and for him to question what exactly his eyes were seeing. "W-What are you?" questioned Seto, recomposing himself after he had gotten over the shock of seeing Jou for the first time in the light.

"Seto, meet Jounouchi." Introduced D. "Jounouchi, Mr. Seto Kaiba."

Jou bowed forward slightly, his small wings fluttering behind his shoulders, in an indication of respect before extending his hand to Seto. "Pleased to meet you." Replied Jou.

Seto stared at Jou's rather long fingernails, but soon remembered his manners and quickly bowed, but hesitantly extended his hand. Jou shook it, and Seto quickly pulled his hand back.

"Jounouchi is a Dragon; A Japanese Wind Dragon, to be exact. I've raised him ever since he was a hatchling; his mother brought him here because she knew that his father would try to duel him for leadership of the clan." Explained D. "You see, Dragons do not normally live by themselves; they live in groups, or, clans, as they have come to be called. When a son is born to the leader of a clan, the day that child becomes of age, they are forced to duel against their father for the right to lead the clan. This duel usually ends in a death, and Jou's mother wasn't willing to take the chance. Jou had been born far too early, and knew he wouldn't make it without assistance; so she gave Jounouchi to me to look after."

"But… How… Why me?" asked Seto.

"I knew from the moment I met you, Seto, that you would be the only one who would have the resources, not to mention being able to handle taking care of a Dragon. Mokuba has told me all about your bond with your Blue-Eyes White Dragon Duel Monsters Card; how you fell in love with it and everything it symbolizes. I know that you will eventually come to love Jou… More than you realize…" replied D.

Seto's face took on a more serious nature. "How do I know that Jou is actually a Dragon? How do I know this isn't all a just a trick?"

D sighed. "I see you still aren't satisfied with the reasons I've given you… Jounouchi… Are you ready?"

"Ready for what?" questioned Seto.

"Yes." Replied Jou. The hint of nervousness in his voice was apparent.

D turned to Seto. "To see Jou in his true form." D then turned to the incense burner in the corner. Lifting the bowl of liquid incense off the burner, the scent of the incense quickly faded from the room.

Seto's eyes switched from D to Jou. Jou's amber eyes met Seto's sapphire ones for but a moment before closing. Suddenly, a previously non-existent wind swirled around Jou, his honey-blonde locks flowing in the breeze. A bright light surrounded Jou; so bright that Seto's hand immediately flew to shield his eyes from the harsh light. As quickly as it had come, the light disappeared, and Seto removed his hand from his brow.

"This is my true form." Said Jou, his telepathic voice to Seto a much deeper and rather intimidating one, if not for the gentle tone with which he used it.

Seto's mouth gaped at Jou's beautiful form. Jou's body had become like that of a serpent's; except for a fire-red coloring over his scales that glittered like rubies in the dim candlelight. Highlighted with bright golds and oranges, and shadowed with deep crimsons, Jou was truly magnificent. At full length, Jou would have been at least 15 ft long, his long tail at least 5 ft (not counting the ft-long fan on the end of his tail). A pair of short wings protruded from Jou's shoulders, and small claws extended from the end of his long arms and legs. Jou's face had also changed greatly, but if one looked hard enough, they could see that it was still Jou underneath his changed exterior. His garnet-hued face was highlighted by his blonde brows and mustache(1). Jou's amber eyes had also taken on a gold highlight - in short; Jou looked legendary.

Seto was unable to help himself - all he could do was stare and gape at Jou. D looked at Seto disapprovingly, and whapped him across the back of the head.

"It's not polite to stare!" scolded D. D turned back to the incense burner and replaced the bowl of incense upon it. No sooner than had D done this, another white light flashed and Jou returned to his human form.

"So… Will you be taking Jou home with you tonight or would you prefer to pick him up tomorrow?" asked D.

Seto took a step towards Jou and brushed Jou's bangs away from his face with his fingertips. "I don't think that that decision is up to me." replied Seto. "That decision is one only Jou can make." Jou's cheeks turned a rather rosy color.

"Well, Jounouchi…" said D, turning to face Jou. "It is up to you to decide… Do you wish to go with Seto…" D extended his arm to make his point. "Or stay here. It is your choice, Jounouchi."

Seto and D watched Jou, awaiting his decision. For a long time, no one spoke; until Seto felt the need to break the silence. "Jou… I understand if you're not ready to come with me; I realize that this is the only home that you've ever really known;, and if you don't want to leave it, I understand…" Seto turned, his hand extended towards the door handle, prepared to leave depending on Jou's outcome. Seto turned the door handle, and was about to push the door when-

"wait." whispered Jou softly. Seto turned his face to look at Jou. "If I decide… That it's not right for me… Can I return? Back to the pet shop, I mean…"

"Absolutely. If you really feel you can't call I home, I will gladly bring you back." replied Seto.

"With no hard feelings; between you and the Count?" asked Jou.

"None at all; and, if I may, I would like to visit you afterwards… Here, if this is where you choose to stay." confirmed Seto.

"Either way is fine by me," replied D. "However, if Jou finds someone else more suitable, I can't guarantee that you will ever be able to visit him again…"

"I understand." answered Seto, an almost hurt look in his eyes. Jou quickly picked up on this, but did not say a word conveying that he knew this.

"iwanttogo." mumbled Jou.

"I'm sorry, what did you say, Jou?" asked D.

Jou took a deep breath. "I said, I want to go… with Seto…" replied Jou, his voice still only a whisper.

"Excellent!" exclaimed D. "I will go prepare the contract; Come along Seto. In the meantime, Jou, if there is anything that you wish to take with you, you may gather it, and Seto and I shall discuss the terms of your guardianship." D ushered Seto out of Jou's room, and the two men returned to the main room of the shop to discuss Jou's needs and requirements.

Authoress' Notes;

I know that oriental dragons often have those long hairs that grow from the end of their snout; I didn't know how to refer to it, so I called it a mustache…

I'm sorry I acted like a brat with my comments before posting this; I wasn't in the best of moods. I will definitely finish this, because it is my first long term story; I will post as often as I can, but I will guarantee nothing. Thank you for being so patient with me! Ja Ne! and Happy Reading! (and don't forget to leave a review, so I have more inspiration, and chapters can come out faster!) p.s. suggestions for this and other stories are always welcome!

Thanks so Far;

CrossHunt-s ; I will definitely continue; don't worry! The next chap. should be up soon, so look for it!